Having a good fantasy draft sets a team up really well, but most of the time to win a fantasy football league, acquisitions need to be made during the season. Each week there are several players worth exploring on the waiver wire. Here are fantasy football players to add week 8. (Note: These are best used for standard scoring leagues. All players are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues)
After Kyren Williams went down with an injury, there was a mad scramble to pick up Zach Evans. The Rams themselves made some moves to try to replace Williams’s production. They brought back Henderson, who was with the team the last few seasons. In his first game back with the team, he rushed 18 times for 61 yards and a touchdown. He also had one catch for five yards.
Sean McVay has made it clear he doesn’t like to utilize rookie running backs. Even Williams wasn’t used much last season, but now is a star. That means Evans’s touches will likely be limited. Henderson will have to battle Royce Freeman for carries, but if week 7 was any indication, Henderson is the back to roster with Williams out. He is rostered in 12.1 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Panthers were off for week 7. Before that though, Hubbard had carved out more of the workload out of the backfield and on top of that, Miles Sanders suffered an injury. Hubbard has 242 rushing yards, 59 receiving yards and one touchdown this season.
Sanders may return from his injury soon, but Hubbard has played well even when all running backs are healthy. He is worth rostering and possibly starting in desperation. If he is added, fantasy managers can always wait and see how the backfield shakes out. He is owned in just 46 percent of ESPN leagues.
After James Conner went to IR, Demercado was thought to be the lead back. Keontay Ingram actually started getting more work. That changed in week 7. Demercado had 17 touches for 75 total yards against the Seahawks.
The workload in week 7 has shown that Demercado is making moves. Conner is still on IR for a couple more weeks and even then may not be ready to return. Demercado can be picked up for short-term value, but could provide more long term value if Conner is unable to get healthy. He is rostered in just 15.9 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Browns signed Kareem Hunt after Nick Chubb had a knee injury this season. His role was to complement Jerome Ford, who was the clear lead running back. Ford suffered an ankle injury in week 7 though, which opened the door for Hunt to produce. He finished the game against the Colts with 10 carries for 31 yards and two touchdowns.
If Ford misses time, Hunt can be the lead back in the Browns’ offense. What makes things more intriguing is Hunt has shown good receiving ability in the past, which is something he didn’t get to show in week 7. Hunt should be picked up this week, while more information comes to light about Ford’s injury. He is rostered in 46.3 percent of ESPN leagues.
Last week, the Cardinals designated Kyler Murray to return to practice after suffering a torn ACL last season. While he hasn’t taken a snap yet this season, if the Cardinals truly aren’t tanking, he should see the lineup soon. Last season, he ranked as the 19th-best fantasy quarterback even with missing more than six games with the injury.
Murray can be added now and stashed to see if he plays. If he does, he could start for a lot of fantasy teams. He will be incentivized to play well when he comes back, as if the Cardinals struggle, they could be in the market for a new quarterback this offseason. Picking him up now before the team lets him see game action puts fantasy managers a step ahead. Murray is rostered in 22.6 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues.
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